Ben Barba's off-field life is so out of control the Bulldogs claim they had no choice but to suspend him.

A close friend of Barba last night said the superstar has toned down his partying with EBC since resuming training last month.

"He did spend a bit of time with those guys before and after Christmas," the friend said.

There's no suggestion EBC enjoy anything more sinister than having a good time - for a long time.

Furthermore, Reni Maitua and John Sutton have carved out long careers as members of the Bra Boys, an infinitely more notorious gang.

And in the end, Barba will not be cured should he stop drinking or have the EBC tattoo removed.

His problems extend back to the split with Currie, his childhood sweetheart from Mackay and the mother of his two baby daughters.

Barba's association with EBC occurred around the same time he and Currie ended their eight-year relationship.The couple purchased their first home in Caringbah last year, but Barba didn't move out until early last week.

Canterbury legend Steve Mortimer praises the approach his old side has taken over the Ben Barba situation.

In the first indication that his life was falling apart, Barba requested a few days away from training last week.

Canterbury boss Todd Greenberg gave him the green light and was receiving daily updates about Barba's welfare from Currie.

"Moving out was a big thing," the friend said.

"Suddenly Ben was on his own and I don't think he expected it to be so hard without the kids."

Friends are confident that Barba will be restored once he and Currie patch up their differences.

But he also has deeper demons to confront, including a worrying gambling habit.

While Greenberg dismissed suggestions that Barba had fallen into debt, Bulldogs insiders have been concerned for some time about the proportion of his salary that's frittered away through TAB terminals and poker machines.

News.com.au's Privacy Policy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted content and advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.

Comments on this story

Calm Headed Male Posted at 12:44 PM February 26, 2013

More reasons to introduce an 'Adult card'. If you have a drinking problem, gambling problem, or a history of violence, you receive a penalty that prohibits you from participating in such activities. That way, the troublemakers are excluded, allowing the responsible users to freely indulge, and make going out a safer experience for all. What I continually find funny is how women find men like this desirable...don't blame advertisers, if it was their fault, everyone would be a gambling\alcohol addict. Take responsibility for your own actions.

Jac Tar of Ipswich Posted at 12:41 PM February 26, 2013

If Ben Barba was a fringe first grade or Toyota Cup player, would the Bulldogs show the same concern or simply show him the door? Only support the valuable player ? Just asking....

Lunchb0x of Brisbane Posted at 12:38 PM February 26, 2013

Agree totally with Disapointed of Sydney, My brother is very very reluctant to even let my nephew watch the NRL anymore with all the dodgy odds updates and gambling advertising these days. Its non-stop and disgraceful. I am 34 and can't stand it. I am not anti gambling at all and have a flutter once or twice a year, but kids arebeing desensitised to it and it literally makes me feel sick when I see it all over everything.

A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.